My brain reminds meof an ocean the waves goback and forth when I amsleeping waking and sleeping

But most of all my brainreminds me of a caterpillarin a cocoon resting for awhileuntil it is ready to take offits wings creatinga kaleidoscopeof golds in my brainlike a mirror on the wallseeing my self in itor an eel going on and offinside me

Since 2006, Iowa Writes has featured the work of Iowa-identified writers (whether they have Iowa roots or live here now) and work published by Iowa journals and publishers on The Daily Palette. Iowa Writes features poetry, fiction, or nonfiction twice a week on the Palette.

In November of 2008, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Iowa City, Iowa, the world's third City of Literature, making the community part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

Iowa City has joined Edinburgh, Scotland and Melbourne, Australia as UNESCO Cities of Literature.

Find out more about submitting by contacting iowa-writes@uiowa.edu

KAREN PACE

Karen Pace was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, and ended up in Iowa City twelve years ago. She attends Nazarene Church. She has been writing song lyrics since high school and started writing poetry in July 2005, thanks to the Patient Voice Project. "Poem" is also published as a letterpress broadside by Spout Graphic Press and is available for purchase at Prairie Lights bookstore.